American travelers on a motorcycle trip in Shaoyang, Hunan, mistakenly wandered into a traditional "joyous funeral" for a 104-year-old woman. A local villager invited them home, cooked a meal, and sparked a viral cultural exchange.
Foreign Tourists Mistake Funeral for Restaurant, Then Get Invited Home by Villager
A motorcycle trip from Guangdong to Inner Mongolia took an unexpected turn for American YouTuber Ludwig and his companion when they found themselves in a rural village in Shaoyang, Hunan. Cold, hungry, and having lost their way, the pair spotted a house decorated with vibrant red arches and a large gathering of people.
Mistaking the festive atmosphere for a local restaurant, they pulled over to ask for a meal, unaware that they had actually wandered into a traditional Chinese funeral.
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The event was a "joyous funeral" (xi sang) for a 104-year-old woman, a local tradition where a long life is celebrated with bright colors rather than somber tones. While the two travelers struggled with the language barrier, they were met by Mr. Li, a neighbor of the grieving family. Mr. Li, a 45-year-old entrepreneur and avid traveler, immediately recognized their predicament. He explained that the funeral meal wouldn't be served until 5:00 PM, and since the travelers were on a tight schedule, he decided to take them under his wing.
A Tour of the "Secret Base" and a Home-Cooked Meal
Recognizing the two men as fellow "motorcycle friends," Mr. Li decided to show them the local sights. He led them to a hero's monument and an unfinished building that provided a stunning panoramic view of the entire village. When the travelers mentioned their hunger again, Mr. Li didn't hesitate to invite them to his own home. There, he and his father personally took to the kitchen to prepare a spread of local dishes for their unexpected guests.
The afternoon turned into a cultural exchange. The group spent hours talking about their lives and travels, eventually ending the meal by singing songs together. The entire encounter was captured on video and later shared on social media, where it quickly went viral. Viewers were particularly impressed by Mr. Li's fluent English, a skill he developed during his own solo travels to countries like Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam. "I'm just brave enough to speak," Mr. Li told local reporters, explaining that he simply practiced what he learned in school whenever he traveled abroad.
Clearing Up the "Joyous" Misunderstanding
Interestingly, the two American vloggers didn't realize they had crashed a funeral until after their video became a sensation online. On the day of the event, Mr. Li had tried to explain the situation, but the travelers misunderstood, thinking they were at a celebration for an elderly woman's health. Once they realized the true nature of the gathering, they reached out to Mr. Li via WeChat to clarify the mistake and express their gratitude. They even extended an invitation for Mr. Li to visit them in the United States, promising to cook for him in return.
The grandson of the deceased woman, Mr. Liu, also shared his perspective on the incident. He noted that while a funeral is usually a private family matter, seeing foreign tourists in their small village was a "novelty" and that no one felt offended by their request for food. He echoed the sentiment that anyone is welcome to join a meal in their community.
The story has resonated deeply with both domestic and international audiences. Many overseas Chinese commented that the video helped break tired stereotypes about rural China, showcasing the genuine hospitality found in the countryside. For Mr. Li, the experience was a simple act of kindness. He expressed great satisfaction in knowing that his efforts helped some people change their perspectives on his hometown, and he was simply happy to have made two like-minded friends on the road.
Source: 极目新闻
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Explore April events in Shanghai: 20% off Mediterranean dining at Morena by AZUL (until Apr 30), free weekly quizzes at BNC and Parlay, Schubert concerts, Easter market at Laowaijie (Apr 4-5), and more. Find deals, live music, and family-friendly activities.
Morena by AZULShankang Li, Building 6, 358 Kangding Lu, by Shaanxi Bei Lu 康定路358号, 近陕西北路
DULI RESET Spring Menu @ The Shanghai EDITION
In celebration of the landmark hotel's eighth anniversary, That's Shanghai has partnered with The Shanghai EDITION to launch a year-long culinary collaboration series: That's The Taste of Shanghai.
To kick off the campaign, the hotel has joined forces with creative plant-based restaurant DULI, newly crowned Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards.
The result is a five-course menu that doesn't simply layer styles, but builds tension and harmony through contrast, a journey that moves between intensity and subtlety, heat and calm.
Shanghai TavernThe Shanghai EDITION, 1/F, Heritage Building, 199 Nanjing Dong Lu, by Henan Zhong Lu, Huangpu District 南京东路199号辅楼1楼, 近河南中路
At One Impact Week @ Suzhou
From April 16 to 19, the team at At One Impact Week China is bringing together thinkers, creators, and seekers for four days of deep connection at Sangha Retreat by Octave in Suzhou.
Built around four core pillars—Sensory Awakening, Mind-Body Cultivation, Conscious Consumption, and Celebration of Life—the gathering offers over 100 themed workshops led by more than 50 world-class mentors.
Guests move between immersive opening and closing ceremonies, continuous crossover performances, and a Celebration of Life exhibition that explores the space between technology and soul.
A curated selection of mindful, eco-friendly brands rounds out the experience across the 189,000-square-meter natural sanctuary on the Yangcheng Lake peninsula.
It's a space designed for dissolving boundaries and sharing the joy of oneness, all in the name of cultivating impact for a flourishing future.
Shanghai's longest running—and free to enter—the Wednesday night quiz at BNC features 10 rounds covering everything from current events, geography, history, pop culture, music, film and more.
There are F&B vouchers, bottles of prosecco, towers of beer and rounds of shots up for grabs every week.
At the end of each quarterly season, the top three teams win even more fantastic prizes, with the champions even get their photo on the wall.
If all that is not enough, it is happy hour until 8pm and a burger and a beer for just RMB78.
The quiz kicks off at 7.30pm and is all wrapped up by around 9.30pm so you can be fresh for work the next day.
Scan the QR on the poster below to sign up now...
Every Wed, from 7.30pm; Free Entry
BNC685 Xikang Lu, by Changping Lu, Jing'an District 西康路685号, 近昌平路
New Quiz Master Trivia Series @ Parlay
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Shanghai has no shortage of quiz nights—so Parlay's Quiz Masters Trivia Series is built differently.
This isn't a quiet, half-asleep pub quiz. It's a structured, high-energy night designed to keep the room engaged from the first question to the final round.
The format rotates a lineup of experienced quizmasters, each bringing a distinct style. From sharp, topic-driven rounds to more interactive, crowd-focused hosting, every session feels fresh while still maintaining a consistent, well-run game.
Expect a balance of pop culture, general knowledge, and curveballs that reward both quick thinking and teamwork.
Clicke the link below to find out more, and meet the upcoming quizmasters...
ParlayShankang Li, 808 Shaanxi Bei Lu, Bld 18, #103陕西北路808号陕康里18幢103室
20% Off!
For a limited time, snag RMB100 Parlay vouchers for just RMB80!
Click below to get yours now:
FOTO LIVE @ Fotografiska Shanghai
Every Wednesday, Fotografiska Shanghai hosts a FOTO LIVE event, showcasing avant-garde jazz musicians on the fourth-floor lounge stage.
Enjoy captivating performances and meticulously crafted cocktails, and spend quality time with friends in a modern art-enriched ambiance.
The ticket price includes a general admission pass to Fotografiska Shanghai, providing access to all current exhibitions, in addition to an evening of live music.
Every Wed, 8-10pm; RMB80, ticket covers all ongoing exhibitions in Fotografiska
Fotografiska4/F, 127 Guangfu Lu, by Jinyuan Lu, Jing'an District 光复路127号, 近晋元路
Thursday
Wine Dinner @ TOMATITO
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TOMATITO is hosting a Wine Dinner that's equal parts bold and beautiful. Expect chef-led creations like home-smoked mackerel, squid stuffed with sausage, and flank steak with romesco, while Spanish wines from Cava to Ribera del Duero do the heavy lifting.
At RMB508 per person, it's a night of serious flavor with zero pretense.
Thu Apr 2, from 6pm; RMB508
TOMATITO3/F, W08-10, 168 Hubin Lu, by Jinan Lu, Huangpu District 湖滨路168号无限极荟购物中心3楼W08-10, 近济南路
New Quiz Season @ The Shed Hongmei Lu
It is also new quiz season time over at The Shed Hongmei Lu on Laowaijie in Minhang, where there is a weekly quiz for all those living out west.
Expect 10 rounds covering everything from current events, geography, history, pop culture, music, film and more.
There are F&B Vouchers, Bottles of Prosecco and Rounds of Shots up for grabs every week, while it is Happy Hour All Night and Chicken Parma is just RMB38!
And at the end of each quarterly season, the champions win even more fantastic prizes.
The quiz kicks off at 7.30pm and is all wrapped up by around 9.30pm—scan the QR code on the poster below to sign up now.
Every Thu, from 7.30pm; Free Entry
The ShedNo. 30, Lane 3338 Hongmei Lu, by Hongxu Lu, Minhang District 虹梅路3338弄30号, 近虹许路
Friday
Mark Padmore & Dame Imogen Cooper perform Schubert's Winterreise @ Shanghai Concert Hall
Distinguished tenor Mark Padmore joins celebrated 'Queen of the Piano,' Dame Imogen Cooper, for their highly anticipated Shanghai debut, performing Schubert's profound song cycle, Winterreise.
Acclaimed as a pinnacle of the art song repertoire, this masterpiece poetically intertwines music and verse to depict a winter journey of profound loneliness and emotional depth.
Padmore's luminous and expressive tenor voice, paired with Dame Imogen's insightful and masterful pianism, will guide the audience through an immersive 75-minute journey—from the gentle farewell of Gute Nacht to the haunting conclusion of Der Leiermann.
This debut performance in China is a rare opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable evening of sublime artistry in the heart of Shanghai.
Click below to get your tickets now:
Fri Apr 3, 7.30pm, RMB180-580
Shanghai Concert Hall523 Yan'an Dong Lu, by Jinling Zhong Lu, Huangpu District 延安东路523号, 近金陵中路
Urban Beekeeping Shanghai apiary tours offer a truly 'hands-on' experiences. The aim is for guests to fully immerse themselves in the intricate and balanced world of a honeybee colony's social life.
Each tour begins with a concise introduction, especially emphasizing how to read a beehive frame, meaning participants learn to identify various elements on a frame—which they'll extract themselves from one of the hives, with guidance from the beekeepers.
Urban Beekeeping Shanghai ensures everyone is well-prepared, providing thorough training on using personal protective gear and approaching hives safely—and the bees are so docile that they have not recorded a single sting among over 400 guests to date.
TOMATITO is flipping the script on late-night cravings with Night Brunch. Starting from 6pm, the crew is serving up smoked salmon with truffle honey, crispy chorizo puffs, and Valencia-style chicken paella.
DJ Toni Ventura's in the house from 8pm, and RMB398 gets you food, a vibe, and two hours of free-flow Cava, wine, spritz, gin tonic, and beer to keep things moving.
Sat Apr 4, from 6pm; RMB398
TOMATITO3/F, W08-10, 168 Hubin Lu, by Jinan Lu, Huangpu District 湖滨路168号无限极荟购物中心3楼W08-10, 近济南路
Dame Imogen Cooper Performs Schubert & Beethoven @ Shanghai Concert Hall
The illustrious 'Queen of the Piano,' Dame Imogen Cooper, makes her long-awaited Shanghai solo debut at Shanghai Concert Hall.
Celebrated as one of the foremost interpreters of Classical and Romantic repertoire, Dame Imogen will weave a masterful musical narrative, tracing the profound lineage of German and Austrian masters with her signature technical brilliance and lyrical depth.
This exquisite solo recital is thoughtfully curated, pairing Beethoven's inventive Bagatelles, Op. 33, with the poetic heart of Schubert's genius—his complete sets of Impromptus, D. 899 and D. 935.
With a career spanning the world's greatest concert halls and collaborations with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic, Dame Imogen Cooper brings a lifetime of insight to this program.
Through these intimate works, she reveals the full spectrum of emotion, from introspective delicacy to majestic power.
Click below to get your tickets now:
Sat Apr 4, 7.30pm, RMB180-380
Shanghai Concert Hall523 Yan'an Dong Lu, by Jinling Zhong Lu, Huangpu District 延安东路523号, 近金陵中路
Saturday & Sunday
JS Easter Market @ Laowaijie
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Get ready for a fun-filled Easter weekend! Bring your friends, family, and pets and enjoy a vibrant market experience.
Expect artisan food and drinks, exquisite crafts, DJs and live music, Easter bunny fun, games, vibes, and more!
Sat & Sun Apr 4 & 5, 11am-8pm; Free Entry
LaowaijieLane 3338 Hongmei Lu, by Hongxu Lu, Minhang District 虹梅路3338弄, 近虹许路
Sunday
March Madness Final Four @ The Rooster
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The road ends here. Final Four action live at The Rooster—big plays, bigger moments, cold beers, and full sound. Why not throw in a free flow brunch for good measure?
Grab your crew, lock in your seats, and witness greatness!
Sun Apr 5, from 8am; Free Entry
The Rooster107, 445 Jiangning Lu, by Wuding Lu, Jing'an District 江宁路445号107, 近武定路
20% Off!
For a limited time, snag RMB100 The Rooster vouchers for just RMB80!
Click below to get yours now:
We Love Movies Quiz & Easter Carvery @ BNC
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This weekend's BNC quiz and carvery pairing has the theme We Love Movies. Family-friendly, entry to the quiz is absolutely free and there are great prizes on offer.
The carvery is just RMB128 for adults and RMB68 for kids, lasts from 1-4pm, and includes two meats (which change each week), two types of potato, two veg, and—of course—Yorkshire pudding with gravy and horseradish.
Better still, you can add three hours of free flow drinks for just RMB168!
Scan the QR code on the poster above to reserve your spot.
Sun Apr 5, Doors 12 noon, Quiz & Carvery from 1pm; Free Entry
BNC685 Xikang Lu, by Changping Lu, Jing'an District 西康路685号, 近昌平路
Monday
New Quiz Season @ The Blarney Stone
Free to enter, the Monday night quiz at The Blarney Stone sees six rounds of fun, rounds of shots for each round winner, and a bottle of booze and an F&B voucher for the first and second place winners on the night.
Part of a quarterly quiz season, the eventual top four teams win F&B vouchers worth RMB2,000.
It is also happy hour all night for quiz players, while tacos and wings (5 pieces) are just RMB20.
Catch the 2026 March Madness Championship at The Rooster! The game kicks off at 8.30am—don't miss the action, excitement, and a great atmosphere.
Grab your crew and enjoy the game with fantastic food and drinks—a championship-worthy experience!
Tue Apr 7, 8.30am; Free Entry
The Rooster107, 445 Jiangning Lu, by Wuding Lu, Jing'an District 江宁路445号107, 近武定路
20% Off!
For a limited time, snag RMB100 The Rooster vouchers for just RMB80!
Click below to get yours now:
New Taco Tuesday @ The Rooster
The Rooster is launching Taco Tuesday! Tacos are just RMB15 each with any drink purchase. Head along early, grab a drink, and make Tuesday your new favorite night!
Every Tue, from 5pm; Free Entry
The Rooster107, 445 Jiangning Lu, by Wuding Lu, Jing'an District 江宁路445号107, 近武定路
20% Off!
For a limited time, snag RMB100 The Rooster vouchers for just RMB80!
Click below to get yours now:
Ongoing
April Drink of the Month: Skinny Beach @ The Rooster
Skinny Beach is The Rooster April Drink of the Month. Cazcabel Coconut tequila brings smooth, tropical depth—where coconut spirit meets bright pineapple and a crisp soda lift.
Light, refreshing, and effortlessly drinkable, it's your first taste of summer. Warmer days are here—your beach moment, served cold.
Until Apr 30
The Rooster107, 445 Jiangning Lu, by Wuding Lu, Jing'an District 江宁路445号107, 近武定路
20% Off!
For a limited time, snag RMB100 The Rooster vouchers for just RMB80!
Click below to get yours now:
Continuing Education Programs @ NYU
NYU Shanghai is pleased to announce the launch of two new continuing education programs for Spring 2026, designed for adult learners seeking personal and professional growth.
For accomplished professionals, theFrom Boardroom to Classroom executive certificate program offers a supportive introduction to university teaching.
This course helps translate real-world expertise into the classroom, covering learning science and course design—no prior teaching experience is needed.
Scan the QR Code to learn more or apply:
The Parenting in Contemporary China lifelong learning course provides a research-informed space to explore child development.
This discussion-based program examines parenting styles and modern challenges, offering practical tools for parents, educators, and anyone interested in family dynamics.
Scan the QR Code to learn more or apply:
Discover your next chapter and join a community dedicated to exploration and growth. For more information on NYU Shanghai, see below.
Demo Lesson @ Panda Education
Since 2004, Panda Education has specialized exclusively in one-on-one Mandarin instruction. With a longstanding commitment to expert teaching at fair prices, the school has delivered professional Chinese language training to more than 29,000 expatriate students.
Whether a student's goals involve conversational skills, after-school tutoring, business Chinese, or HSK test preparation, Panda Education designs fully personalized courses to match their specific needs. Learners can choose between online and in-person formats—each seamlessly adapted to their schedule and preferences.
Why Choose a Demo Lesson?
Experience a tailored teaching methodology firsthand
Discuss specific learning objectives with an expert
Receive a professional assessment and customized course plan
Explore flexible learning formats to fit any lifestyle
Scan the QR code on the poster above to book your free demo lesson
Looking Ahead
Trap @ NAIS Pudong
NAIS Pudong invites you to an evening of theater with Trap, a gripping psychological thriller by Stephen Gregg.
The play begins with a mysterious event: during a high school performance, every audience member suddenly collapses unconscious, all except one.
Through interviews, testimony, and reenactments, the story unfolds documentary-style as investigators try to uncover what really happened.
As the threads of the mystery begin to connect, it becomes clear that the phenomenon may not be entirely in the past.
Performed by student actors from NAIS Pudong, Trap is a tense and thought-provoking production that explores perception, truth, and the unsettling power of shared experience.
Scan the QR code on the poster above to get your tickets now.
Thu Apr 9, 6pm; RMB50
NAIS Pudong2888 Junmin Gong Lu, by Henghe Zhong Lu, Pudong District 军民公路2888号，近恒和中路
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